Online Reporter
Harmony Agere
Online Writer
All is set for the burial of national hero Brigadier-General (Retired) Mathias Tizirai Ngarava at the National Heroes Acre this morning, with Acting President Dr Constantino Chiwenga, expected to preside over the ceremony.
On Wednesday, Brig-Gen (Rtd) Ngarava’s body was taken from Charles Gumbo Barracks in Harare to Chinhoyi, where it lay in state after brief ceremonies at his Mabelreign home and at Plot 3, Ndudza Farm in Banket.
Yesterday, his body was airlifted to Mhokore Village under Chief Gororo in Chivi District, giving the Masvingo leadership and the Chivi community an opportunity to bid farewell.
At 3 pm, the body was flown back to Charles Gumbo Barracks, where it lay in state ahead of today’s burial.
In a statement, the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage encouraged Zimbabweans to gather in large numbers to accord the late hero a fitting send-off, confirming that he would be laid to rest on Friday, January 2, 2026, at the National Heroes Acre.
Born a freedom fighter, Brig-Gen Ngarava, whose nom de guerre was Elias Chimurenga, left his secondary education at Berejena Mission in October 1976 to join the liberation struggle. He crossed into Mozambique through the wildlife-infested Gonarezhou National Park and later received military training in Syria in 1979.
After completing his training, he was deployed to Gaza Province, Sector 4, where he operated until independence in 1980. In February 1981, he was attested into the Zimbabwe National Army as a sergeant and was commissioned as a lieutenant in 1982 after completing the basic officers’ course.
His long and distinguished military career saw him rise through the ranks, culminating in his elevation to Brigadier-General in 2023. He retired from active service in March last year.
Brig-Gen Ngarava received several awards for his immense contributions during the liberation struggle and for his exemplary conduct as a disciplined, loyal and dedicated soldier.
